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Retailers Look To Cash In On Last-Minute Shoppers

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — At malls all over the Twin Cities, shoppers treasure the shopping tradition: A last minute race against time.

Perhaps in all of Rosedale, Andrew Nandwani knows the routine best. As the owner of the “All About Time” kiosk, he sells watches, a lot of watches, to customers who know the seconds slip away towards Christmas.

“They keep putting things off, especially men I guess. Women are planning a little bit and know what they are doing,” said Nandwani. “Women have their lists, they know, when they come, they just buy.”

Last-minute shoppers are in luck at Rosedale, where Macy’s will remain open overnight until 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, a more than 80-hour marathon stretch. Rosedale Mall stayed open until 11 p.m. Friday to accommodate crowds.

Berri Reiser and Pam Feske of St. Paul are among them, and say this year busy schedules kept them behind.

Psychologist Dr. Alan Steed says it’s a common problem mostly centered around time management. He counsels procrastinators at the Allina Medical Clinic in Eagan, and he says during the holidays, many of them struggle with indecision, daunted by the pressure to find that perfect gift.

“I think they have thoughts about what it will entail, going out to the mall, doing things they don’t want to be doing, so they put it off,” said Dr. Steed.

Bill Kleve of Coon Rapids relates. He decided to do most of his shopping Friday.

“Well, every year, right around October, I tell myself, I am going to start right about now. And that is the last I think of it until December 20th,” he chuckled.

Berri Reiser and Pam Feske are leaving Rosedale with handfuls of bags and say it can be done with focus in the final hour.

“We are not going to be upset or stressed out, we are just here for the fun and to spend,” said Feske.